{"id":5790,"date":"2019-04-23T10:50:49","date_gmt":"2019-04-23T10:50:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5790"},"modified":"2021-06-04T20:43:26","modified_gmt":"2021-06-04T20:43:26","slug":"14-symptoms-of-guillain-barre-syndrome-gbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-symptoms-of-guillain-barre-syndrome-gbs\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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An incredibly rare but very serious problem of the immune system, GBS causes an autoimmune disorder whereby the body seemingly attacks itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The immune system systematically and aggressively attacks all healthy nerve cells within the peripheral nervous system (PINS). Working like a pinpoint missile launcher, the disorder is highly effective with its destructive mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, this conditions can lead to partial or complete paralysis, making it all the more serious, however, feeling weak, as well as experiencing numbness and tingling are earlier problems that most people will face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst the cause of the condition is unknown, it is fairly certain that it is preceded by an infectious illness. Gastroenteritis or a lung infection are two examples of illnesses that could potentially bring it on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there is currently no cure for the syndrome, early and effective treatment can make a big difference to a sufferer’s life, often shortening the time span of the illness or making the symptoms more bearable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.     Tingling or Prickling Sensations in Your Fingers or Toes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A tingling <\/a>or pricking sensation anywhere on the body, especially when it persists for a long period of time, can be an annoyance at the very least, with most people suggesting it significantly affects their lives. With GBS, the sensation is most often felt in the fingers and the toes, and the fact that these are some of the body\u2019s outermost extremities is perhaps the only consolation. The tingling, which comes on slowly but surely, is similar to a combination of pins and needles, and a dip in icy cold water. There is little that a sufferer can do to alleviate the sensation other than trying to distract themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common complaint to do with this symptom is the fact that it can prevent people from using their hands and feet to their usual capabilities. This can render them unable to do simple household chores such as ironing or doing the dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.     Muscle Weakness in Your Legs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A particularly troubling symptom of GBS is the impact it can have on a person\u2019s legs. The muscles in the legs, all the way from the abductors, through to the quadriceps and hamstrings, right down to the calf muscles and Achilles\u2018 tendon<\/a>, can lose strength quickly. Given that the end result of the illness for a lot of people is paralysis, this symptom can induce a fair amount of panic, as a person begins to believe that they are nearing the beginning of the end in terms of their mobility and independence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weakness can be damaging mentally, as well as physically, given that sufferers may find it difficult to adjust to their new way of life. Keen walkers or cyclists, for example, will experience a distinct change in their lifestyle, as the lost strength inhibits them from doing what they love. Even walking about the house or the neighborhood can be a challenge though, as the legs become to suffer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.     Difficulty Walking Steadily<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Moving on from the above point, it is worth noting that whilst the weakness <\/a>may start in the legs, it can usually be expected to affect the upper body, slowly but surely. Weakness in the legs will obviously affect a person’s stride, gait and walking style, but so too can weaknesses in the upper body. The extra work that the abdominal muscles have to do to keep the body moving efficiently can mean that any traveling of the weakness up the body, makes walking steadily increasingly difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The subtle movements that our muscles make in hidden combinations with each other are the ones we miss most when they’re gone. The first time that some people become aware that certain muscles in their body even exist, for instance, is when they learn that they are not functioning properly, due to the emergence of a symptom just as beginning to look unsteady on their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.     Difficulty Moving Your Eyes or Face<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The muscles in the face are amongst the most underappreciated muscles <\/a>in the human body. Quite simply, not many people attribute the fact that they are able to talk, to a combination of muscles working in tandem, automatically. Chewing too is dependant on muscles in the face and mouth working properly. GBS affects muscles by shutting them down and causing them to function either uneconomically, or not at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This extends to the muscles behind the face as well, and swallowing is an action that many people take for granted. It is just not seen in the same way that a bicep curl is seen. The action of the muscle is much more hidden and so when an illness affects this in terms of functionality and living standards, it can take a person a lot longer to process and appreciate this change in movement habits and deterioration in muscle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.     Severe Lower Back Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arguably the most notorious reason for absences from work, and misery in general, from every corner of the world. Most people will suffer from some type of back problem at some point in their lives, though these are usually easily solved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The severe lower back pain<\/a> brought on by this autoimmune deficiency, however, is a whole different ball game. Given the impact on the muscles, the support structure which keeps a person upright and stable is deeply interrupted, causing imbalances and even compression of the spine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resulting disc prolapses, wedging or compression fractures which may occur, can cause a person significant pain, constant discomfort and force huge changes to the level of activity that one might be used to. Back pain, when a cure is possible, is one of the worst ailments to bear, and so that is multiplied somewhat when the outlook for a cure is altogether much bleaker entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.     Loss of Bladder Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A symptom of GBS which can be just as embarrassing in public as it is distressing in private, the loss of control over a person’s bladder <\/a>can have a significant impact on their quality of life. It can be upsetting at best or humiliating in the worst of cases, but for an adult, having an accident in public can be a traumatic and damaging experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is obviously not a person’s fault if they have an accident due to an illness, but this doesn’t do anything to take away from the embarrassment they may feel following an incident like this. The loss of control is down to the loss of feeling throughout the body. It is more a case of losing the sensation of needing to go, and with the brain receiving mixed messages on when the bladder is full or not, everything relaxes or weakens and ruination happens whether the person likes it or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.  Fast Heart Rate and Difficulty Breathing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any increase in heart rate that can’t be easily explained away, is always going to be of great cause for concern for the person affected. The sometimes sudden onset can trigger panic or shock in a sufferer, which only serves to accelerate the heart rate even further. Palpitations <\/a>and irregularities sometimes accompany the increase in heart rate and episodes like this can last for up to half an hour at a time, even longer if the sufferer is on their own and without the reassurance of a family member or caregiver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty breathing also comes with the increased heart rate, and the unexplained breathlessness does little in terms of making a person feel as though they’re going to be alright. This potent cocktail of heart rate increases and breathing difficulties can make suffering with GBS a worrying experience for all parties, those directly affected and those who are around to witness the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Paralysis <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This symptom is common and extremely worrying, as there is often little turning back once a person begins to experience either semi-permanent or permanent paralysis. The paralysis <\/a>can affect part of a person’s body, for instance, their lower half, and can be bilateral or unilateral in its occurrence. The development of paralysis is usually over an elongated period of time, and is usually a progressive process, starting off with one limb being affected for instance, and culminating with complete paralysis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of paralysis on a person’s life is completely life-changing. They may need around the clock care from either a partner, a dedicated family member or a privately arranged caregiver. For instance, where a partner becomes the caregiver, a strain can be placed on the relationship that is difficult for everyone to deal with. GBS is a destructive illness that works its way through the body, attacking healthy cells as it goes. When paralysis is the end result, it can be devastating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Difficulty Speaking or Swallowing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The effect of GBS on the nervous system<\/a> has plenty of adverse effects on actions we usually take for granted. Patients who are suffering from the condition may find that they start to develop problems with speaking, known as, “dysarthria.”
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The development of dysarthria leads to patients slurring their words or experiencing choppy speech that may be indecipherable to others. The patient may also find they notice symptoms of “aphasia,” alongside the dysarthria.
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Aphasia occurs when the patient has difficulty expressing themselves, as well as understanding what others are saying. Patients may find that they can no longer comprehend certain words in speech, resulting in feelings of frustration and confusion.
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In some cases, patients may develop spasmodic dysphonia, a condition that makes the voice sound hoarse. Affected individuals may also notice that they develop vocal disturbances which change the pitch of their voice as well. In some cases, these changes are permanent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Neurological Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many physicians struggle with identifying Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome<\/a> during their diagnosis. GBS presents similar nervous system aberrations as many other conditions affecting the CNS. As a result, doctors may confuse GBS symptoms with other diseases like meningitis, botulism, or heavy metal poisoning.
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To isolate the reasons for your condition, your physician will ask you a series of questions about your medical history. The doctor is looking for any sign of nervous system disorders in your past that they could tie to your current condition.
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Many cases of heavy metal poisoning occur due to people drinking contaminated water supplies or eating foods high in metals like mercury and cadmium, such as maceral and sardines. Doctors may also try to rule out other conditions like MS or meningitis that could cause neurological issues as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming to a GBS diagnosis may take more than one visit to your doctor, and you may even need to visit more than one physician to get an accurate diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Bowel and Bladder Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

GBS may also cause issues with the bowels and bladder as well. Patients may find that they start to experience less urine volume in their visits to the bathroom. The patient’s urine may also turn dark red or cola-colored. These changes in urine color occur to the kidneys <\/a>leaking proteins into the urine.
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Some patients may also find that they develop pains in their abdomen, as well as bouts of constipation or incontinence. Since GBS affects the nervous system, it can cause numerous issues with other systems in the body, including the renal and digestive systems.
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If you notice changes in urine color, it could also be due to dehydration. Make sure that you are drinking enough water every day to remain hydrated. When the body is in a dehydrated state, the immune system’s efficiency can drop by as much as 60-percent.
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Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing persistent pain when trying to pass stool, or if you find evidence of blood in your bowel movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Lingering Numbness or Weakness After Recovery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Developing GBS is taxing on the health of the nervous system. When our body is attacking itself, it’s hard to pinpoint a cause for the disease. As a result, some patients may wait for days, weeks or even months before they receive an accurate diagnosis of their condition.
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During this time, GBS can have a detrimental effect on the CNS as it spreads through the nerves in the periphery nervous system. As a result, patients may start to experience numbness and tingling <\/a>in their fingers and toes, which may increase in intensity as the condition progresses.
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In most cases, these symptoms of numbness and tingling fade after the patient recovers from the disease. However, in some rare cases, patients may experience the lingering of these symptoms for weeks, months or even years after the condition clears up. As a result, patients have to learn how to live without periphery nervous system stimulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Blood Pressure and Heart Problems
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Patients with GBS may find that they start to experience issues with their heart function and blood pressure<\/a>. The nervous system is responsible for regulating cardiovascular function. GBS affects the nerves which stimulate heart rate and breathing, resulting in numerous complications for patients who let the disease reach the advanced stages.
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When GBS attacks the nervous system, it causes initial disruption with the way that nerves communicate with the brain. As a result, patients may lose control of some of their motor skills. What starts as tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes, can end up in complete paralysis \u2013 depending on the extent of the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some patients may experience failure of the cardiovascular system, resulting in congestive heart failure and death. When the nervous system no longer provides the electrical signal to the heart, the patient is at risk of experiencing a heart attack.
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Patients with GBS may also find that they develop low blood pressure symptoms, leading to feelings of light-headedness when rising from a seated position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Blood Clots and Bed Sores
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Patients who are dealing with GBS may find they experience a slow paralysis over the course of months to years after being diagnosed with the condition. In the most severe cases, patients experience near-total paralysis <\/a>of the periphery nervous system, leaving them unable to move.
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As a result, doctors confine these patients to bed rest while they try and work on improving their condition. People with advanced GBS symptoms of paralysis spend all day in bed and require caregivers to ensure they remain fed and hydrated.
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Some people with GBS may not be able to afford caregivers. Therefore, they receive substandard care which can lead to the development of adverse complications. Patients who can’t move require their bedsheets regularly changing to avoid the development of bedsores. Bedsores are not only uncomfortable and irritating, but they are a cause of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections as well.
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Some patients may also develop blood clots due to the lack of activity in a paralyzed state.
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